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Washington summers are perfect for outdoor grilling—sunny skies, fresh air, and time with family and friends. As you fire up the grill, keep safety in mind to ensure your gatherings stay fun and fire-free. According to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission, in 2020-2024, an average of 21,682 patients per year went to emergency rooms because of injuries involving grills. Don’t be a statistic. Follow these simple tips and enjoy your summer cookouts by grilling smart. GENERAL SAFETY TIPS Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors. Make sure your grill is on a flat, level surface (like a concrete pad). Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill. Never leave your grill unattended. Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it. When in use, it should be kept in an open space, away from anything that may catch fire, including siding, deck railings, eaves or tree branches. Always use long-handled grilling utensils. Keep a 3-foot safety zone clear around your grill clear—no tripping hazards, kids or pets. Wear appropriate clothing – any loose clothing or apron strings that aren’t tied back could interfere with the cooking process and even catch fire. If clothing does catch fire, remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL. Keep a spray bottle close by—quickly extinguish small flare ups from fat drippings. Keep a fire extinguisher close by for a fire that cannot be contained by an application of water spray. Never leave your grill unattended! Photo Courtesy of the U.S. Fire Administration CHARCOAL GRILLS There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid . Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire. Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources. There are also electric charcoal starters that do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use. When finished with grilling, let the charcoal cool completely before disposing in a metal container. PROPANE GRILLS Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using your grill for the first time each year. Apply a light soapy water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.   If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before relighting it. Sources: nfpa.org , usfa.fema.gov , firstalert.ca

Important Notice: 2016 Smoke Detectors Are Nearing End of Life Back in November 2016, Anderson Island Fire & Rescue distributed 3,000 smoke detectors through a grant-funded program. These detectors featured 10-year non-replaceable batteries—and that 10-year mark is fast approaching. If you received one of these devices, it may be nearing the end of its battery life. That persistent beeping sound you’re hearing? It’s not a glitch—it’s your smoke detector’s way of telling you it’s time for a replacement. How to Safely Deactivate and Dispose: Remove the detector  by twisting it counterclockwise from the mounting ring. Locate the plastic key  inside the mounting ring and pry it out. Insert the key  into the slot on the back of the detector and turn it clockwise to deactivate. Once the device is deactivated, you can safely remove the internal battery and dispose of the detector with your regular household trash, following EPA guidelines. Stay safe—check your detectors today!

The Home Ignition Zone is a buffer of up to 200 feet around your house. It is the defensible space that you can cultivate as a safety bubble to protect your home. Maintaining the Home Ignition Zone can slow or stop the spread of wildfire, defend your house from fire and embers, and protect firefighters who are working to save your home. The Home Ignition Zone requires regular, ongoing maintenance to be effective. Trees, grasses and shrubs continue to grow, die and drop leaves each season, and there are ongoing maintenance needs for any structures on your property. Follow these steps to maintain the home ignition zone. Take these practical steps to increase the likelihood your home survives a wildfire.   1. Immediate Zone 0-5 Feet  from the furthest attached exterior point of the home; defined as a non-combustible area.  Science tells us this is the most important zone to take immediate action on as it is the most vulnerable to embers. Start with the house itself, then move into the landscaping section of the Immediate Zone. Clean roofs and gutters of dead leaves, debris and pine needles that could catch embers. Replace or repair any loose or missing shingles or roof tiles to prevent ember penetration. Reduce embers that could pass through vents in the eaves by installing 1/8 inch metal mesh screening. Clean debris from exterior attic vents and install 1/8 inch metal mesh screening to reduce embers. Repair or replace damaged or loose window screens and any broken windows Screen or box-in areas below patios and decks with wire mesh to prevent debris and combustible materials from accumulating. Move any flammable material away from wall exteriors – mulch, flammable plants, leaves and needles, firewood piles – anything that can burn. Remove anything stored underneath decks or porches.    2. Intermediate Zone 5-30 Feet  from the furthest exterior point of the home. Landscaping/hardscaping- employing careful landscaping or creating breaks that can help influence and decrease fire behavior Clear vegetation from under large stationary propane tanks. Create fuel breaks with driveways, walkways/paths, patios, and decks. Keep lawns and native grasses mowed to a height of four inches. Remove ladder fuels (vegetation under trees) so a surface fire cannot reach the crowns.  Prune trees up to six to ten feet from the ground; for shorter trees do not exceed 1/3 of the overall tree height. Space trees to have a minimum of eighteen feet between crowns with the distance increasing with the percentage of slope. Tree placement should be planned to ensure the mature canopy is no closer than ten feet to the edge of the structure. Tree and shrubs in this zone should be limited to small clusters of a few each to break up the continuity of the vegetation across the landscape.   3. Extended Zone 30-200  feet from the home. Landscaping – the goal here is not to eliminate fire but to interrupt fire’s path and keep flames smaller and on the ground. Dispose of heavy accumulations of ground litter/debris. Remove dead plants and tree material. Remove small conifers growing between mature trees. Remove vegetation adjacent to storage sheds or other outbuildings within this area. Trees 30 to 60 feet from the home should have at least 12 feet between canopy tops. Trees 60 to 100 feet from the home should have at least 6 feet between the canopy tops. Sources: nfpa.org , wfca.com , csfs.colostate.edu

Every Second Counts in a Home Fire When a fire breaks out in your home, every second matters. In the U.S., more than 365,000 home fires occur each year, resulting in over 2,500 deaths and 13,000 injuries. Today’s homes burn faster than ever before, giving families less time to escape safely. One of the most basic fire survival skills is knowing how to get out of wherever you may be. If your primary exit is blocked, a second escape route allows you to get out quickly and safely. Why Fires Spread Faster Today Modern homes are often constructed with lightweight, unprotected wood, which fails more quickly when exposed to high heat. Unlike older homes built with dimensional lumber, these materials can collapse rapidly in a fire. Design trends also contribute to fire risk. Open floor plans and high ceilings allow fires to spread more easily and grow faster. On top of that, most modern furnishings are made from synthetic materials that ignite quickly, burn at higher temperatures, and release toxic smoke and gases, making it difficult to see or breathe in seconds. Have a Plan—It Can Save Lives An effective escape plan is essential for every household. Practice it regularly so everyone knows what to do in a fire emergency. Ask yourself – Do you know two ways out  of every room? Can children, older adults, or individuals with disabilities in your home use both exits? Have you picked a safe meeting spot outside your home where everyone can gather and be seen by emergency responders? Do you practice fire drills twice a year, once during the day and once at night? Steps to Create Your Own Fire Escape Plan   Draw a map of your home with all household members, marking two exits from each room, if possible, and a path to the outside. Practice fire drills twice a year using different escape routes. Teach children how to escape on their own if you can't help them. Ensure your home number is clearly visible from the street for firefighters to find you quickly. Close doors as you leave to slow the spread of smoke, heat, and flames. Once outside, stay outside. Never go back into a burning building. Fire safety starts with preparation. Make a plan. Practice it. Stay aware. Download coloring page here: Sources: usfa.fema.gov , nfpa.org , safekids.org

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who came out to our pancake breakfast fundraiser! Your incredible support, and hearty appetites, helped us raise essential funds for our local Emergency Medical Services. Whether you flipped pancakes, poured syrup, or simply showed up hungry, you made a meaningful impact. Thanks to you, we’re able to help ensure our EMS teams have the resources they need to continue keeping our community safe. We’re so grateful to be part of such a generous and spirited community.

When a disaster hits, clean water and working toilets might not be available. This can lead to the spread of diseases, especially those that cause diarrhea. One tiny bit of human waste can carry millions of germs, viruses, and bacteria. That’s why staying clean and safely getting rid of waste is so important. Germs can spread through dirty water, shared water bottles or dishes, and not washing your hands properly. Water Safety Sometimes, water pipes can break during a disaster. This can cause clean water to mix with dirty water. Always listen to local officials about whether it’s safe to use tap water. If the water may be unsafe, boil it or use a disinfectant before drinking or using it for hygiene.   Top Priorities After a Disaster Personal Hygiene & Handwashing Use boiled or disinfected water to wash hands, brush teeth, and clean up. If clean water isn’t available, use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. If your hands are dirty, clean them with wet wipes first before using hand sanitizer. Always wash your hands: After using the toilet or changing a diaper Before and after handling food After touching trash or caring for someone sick Scrub hands with soap for 20 seconds, rinse with clean water, and dry with a clean towel. You can make a handwashing station using a container with a spout or a water bottle. Credit: Be Ready Utah Getting Rid of Human Waste Toilet works but won’t flush:  Line it with a plastic bag (remove any water first), add some disinfectant (like bleach water), and tie the bag shut after each use. Put it in a sealed bin away from people. No toilet available: Use a 5-gallon bucket with a plastic liner and a toilet seat lid. You can also buy camping toilets or special waste bags that break down waste. Twin Bucket System (best option):  Use one bucket for urine and one for feces. Urine can go into the ground or storm drains. Feces must be handled carefully. Cover it with materials like sawdust or shredded paper to reduce smell and help it break down. You can line the bucket with a plastic bag or just close the lid when full. Credit: Be Ready Utah   Emergency Sanitation Kit (for 7 days): Toilet paper and feminine products Wet wipes and hand sanitizer Soap or liquid detergent Two 5-gallon buckets with lids Plastic seat lids for the buckets Heavy-duty garbage bags and ties Bleach or powdered lime for disinfecting Sawdust or other carbon material (optional)   Remember:  Staying clean and handling waste safely after a disaster can help prevent serious illness. Be prepared so you and your family can stay safe.     Sources: publicalerts.org , cdc.gov , phlush.org